‘Stay Tuned!’ Trump’s Last-Minute Weekend Schedule Change Leads to Iran War Speculation
(Alex Brandon/AP photo)
President Donald Trump’s weekend schedule changed on Friday afternoon, sparking a wave of speculation that he may be staying in the White House to resume the conflict with Iran or possibly announce a deal of some kind.
Axios’s Barak Ravid reported on the change, writing, “On Friday afternoon, the White House announced Trump changed his schedule and instead of staying at his Bedminster Golf Club on the weekend, he will go back to the White House on Friday evening after a planned speech in New York.”
News that Trump would not only be skipping his eldest son’s wedding in the Bahamas this week, but would also no longer be playing golf, quickly led to speculation that a major move in the war with Iran may be afoot. Trump himself raised some eyebrows with his comment on Truth Social, noting he would miss the wedding because “I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time.”
Ravid also later reported that “Trump convened a meeting with his senior national security team on the war with Iran on Friday morning,” adding that the president “is seriously considering launching new strikes against Iran barring a last-minute breakthrough in negotiations, sources who have spoken directly with the president say.”
Politico White House reporter Diana Nerozzi weighed in, adding some additional context, “Trump just changed his schedule to remain in DC this weekend. He won’t attend his son’s wedding in the Bahamas or golf in New Jersey. Rubio will be in India, so will not be one of the people in situation room if something does happen with Iran.”
American Conservative editor Andrew Day argued that Trump is unlikely to attack Iran, “I’ve generally been the ‘We’re going to attack Iran’ guy the past year, whenever people were debating the possibility. Now, a friend notes: Gabbard out, Trump not going to son’s wedding, Trump canceling weekend golf trip suggests we’re going to attack.”
“This time I predict: no attack and no deal. Can’t get a (comprehensive JCPOA-style deal) because of political constraints. Can’t attack because of munitions constraints and Iran’s intact retaliatory capabilities. Agree?” Day added.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also sparked speculation that Trump’s change of schedule may actually have to do with Cuba instead, when he tweeted, “I believe the liberation of the wonderful people of Cuba from the clutches of communism is close at hand.”
Below are some more reactions from across the political spectrum:
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